Human Rights Issues in Asia

Subject 732-712 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

July, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites:

Students who have completed National Human Rights Institutions or Constitutionalism in Asian Societies may not undertake this subject.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Dr Amanda Whiting
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have developed a critical understanding of the theoretical and practical challenges involved in studying Asian legal systems
  • Be able to evaluate critically arguments about the tensions between culture, development and human rights in diverse Asian contexts
  • Have developed a critical understanding of the interplay of international human rights norms with human rights priorities and values in selected Asian societies
  • Have developed a critical understanding of the domestic mechanisms for the protection of human rights in selected Asian states, and be able to evaluate them
  • Have developed a critical appreciation of current human rights concerns in selected Asian states
  • Be able to critically evaluate how civil society organisations mobilise to advance human rights.

Syllabus:

This subject requires students to appreciate the diverse understandings of ‘human rights’ in the Asian region, and to evaluate the interaction of international human rights norms and institutions with domestic (state and civil society) rights priorities and values. States chosen for close analysis may include East Timor, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other Asian jurisdictions may be examined.

Principal topics will include:

  • Regional participation in international human rights instruments and institutions
  • Cultural relativism and ‘universal’ rights discourses
  • Domestic institutions for the protection and promotion of rights, particularly the courts and national human rights institutions
  • Civil society organisations and popular mobilisation for human rights
  • Select issues as case studies, including, but not confined to:
    • Women’s rights
    • Civil and political rights such as free speech, freedom of belief and due process rights
    • Social and economic rights such as the right to water
    • Environmental rights
    • Indigenous and minority cultural rights.
Assessment:
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (5 October) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: P12.507Semester 2NLawLawYNNNParkvillePARKVILLEHuman Rights Issues in Asia732-712Dr Amanda Whiting200924 - 26 contact hours per subject.For the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/732712Melbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have developed a critical understanding of the theoretical and practical challenges involved in studying Asian legal systems
  • Be able to evaluate critically arguments about the tensions between culture, development and human rights in diverse Asian contexts
  • Have developed a critical understanding of the interplay of international human rights norms with human rights priorities and values in selected Asian societies
  • Have developed a critical understanding of the domestic mechanisms for the protection of human rights in selected Asian states, and be able to evaluate them
  • Have developed a critical appreciation of current human rights concerns in selected Asian states
  • Be able to critically evaluate how civil society organisations mobilise to advance human rights.

Syllabus:

This subject requires students to appreciate the diverse understandings of ‘human rights’ in the Asian region, and to evaluate the interaction of international human rights norms and institutions with domestic (state and civil society) rights priorities and values. States chosen for close analysis may include East Timor, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Other Asian jurisdictions may be examined.

Principal topics will include:

  • Regional participation in international human rights instruments and institutions
  • Cultural relativism and ‘universal’ rights discourses
  • Domestic institutions for the protection and promotion of rights, particularly the courts and national human rights institutions
  • Civil society organisations and popular mobilisation for human rights
  • Select issues as case studies, including, but not confined to:
    • Women’s rights
    • Civil and political rights such as free speech, freedom of belief and due process rights
    • Social and economic rights such as the right to water
    • Environmental rights
    • Indigenous and minority cultural rights.
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (5 October) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.

Students who have completed National Human Rights Institutions or Constitutionalism in Asian Societies may not undertake this subject.

N.A.N.A.Law732-7122

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